Did I buy the wrong generator?

[whiskywizard]

Octane is a measurement of a fuel's burning characteristic and the reference fuel is iso-octane with has a rating of 100. See this ref for some info. 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Never have seen it used in ref to detergent properties of gasoline.

Good post. There are so many folks out there with the incorrect impression that higher octane fuel is somehow "the good stuff".

Use it in your high compression ratio applications and nowhere else, 'cause it doesn't do anything for you anywhere else.

I think the confusion might stem from the big gas retailers who tend to pile on the other additives in their "high test" fuel in an attempt to up-sell it.

 

[kenmac]

I can't say anything bad about a subaru engine. I've never owned 1. I've always owned B&S. No need for me to change from something that has served me well for yrs.

As for the poll. I always run my carbs. dry B-4 storage

 

[Pilot]

Tip: If you have electric start, get a float charger from Harbor Freight for about $5 (often less) and use it to keep your battery charged. I have used these for 10 years with good results for my generator, tractor and riding mower and at $5 they are a great deal. However, if power is cut off, they will drain, not charge the battery if left disconnected because they have a little LED that is on as long as there is a power source, either from A/C or from your battery. They do not charge a battery very well, but they do maintain a charge.

Storage: FWIW, my Briggs manual says if the engine won't be operated for 30 days or more it needs to be protected from gum formation in the fuel system and they recommend their fuel stabilizer, claiming it is good for up to 24 months. UNLESS you have ethanol junk in your gas, then it says to drain the tank and run the engine until it stops.

Ethanol: If you are stuck using ethanol in your gas, buy gas frequently and use it up in your vehicles before it gets old to insure you have good gas when the power goes out. In Oregon we can buy ethanol free gas for off road use.

 

[Chilly807]

I've got a very basic Honda EZ5000 generator. Just about the cheapest they make, and we've been more than happy with it. If there's any design problems with them, it's the small fuel tank, and fairly loud exhaust.

I run all my small gas equipment dry of fuel (at least the carbs) before storing them, and keep the tanks full of gas with stabilizer added.

Sean

 

[k0ua]

I think the exact opposite is true. When you leave fuel in the carburetor it will eventually evaporate leaving behind the "solids" which we call shellac or whatever gums up the carb jets.

FWIW, I am in the shut off fuel and let it run to clear the carb before long term storage. I also use regular gas with Stabil and recycle one year old fuel into my car (well diluted).

I am in this camp, this is exactly what I do.

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

Good post. There are so many folks out there with the incorrect impression that higher octane fuel is somehow "the good stuff".

Use it in your high compression ratio applications and nowhere else, 'cause it doesn't do anything for you anywhere else.

I think the confusion might stem from the big gas retailers who tend to pile on the other additives in their "high test" fuel in an attempt to up-sell it.

Well maybe some of this idea started because around here you can buy non ethanol gas but it is all the premium kind. You cannot buy non ethanol regular gas. But that could just be a local thing, But this is what I see.

James K0UA

 

[oldboyscout]

I've NEVER used hi octane until the last few months-just switched. As far as I can can tell, the reasoning is that the 87 octane regular relies on the 10% ethanol for its octane rating, and no longer has the "good stuff" in it. I don't know if the problem is that the ethanol evaporates too quickly, or the lack of actual octane is the problem.
remember that octane rating is not the same thing as octane content (for you chemists out there)

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have a Home Depot power washer with a six horse Suburu Robin engine that I have had at least four years. A new HD offering at the time, at 500 bucks it was priced maybe 200 less than comparable sizes so I said what the heck.

At the time, I bought extra hose, etc., etc. and used my CC. Never checked my slip until I got home. The price on the washer? 400 bucks!

After some break in time, I switched to synthetic motor oil and I only use Stabil in the winter months when my gas usage is lower. Hit or miss useage of course but the Suburu starts with one pull everytime. Uses no oil. What else to ask for?

My ZTR has a Briggs 23HP and my previous mower had a 19HP engine with no real issues considering my minimalist maintenance program for my small engines.

I have 6500 watt, 8500 peak Generac I bought over ten years ago. Last time I went to use it, it started just fine but it is not putting any juice out. I guess I really should get looking at it. There in lays your bigger concern, electrical issues and not engine. From what I have heard, sometimes it is cheaper to replace than repair when the issue is electrical.

 

[wdchyd]

Not that I have much of a choice, Generators are slim pickings hereabouts...


But Home Depot has TWO different Husky 5000w generators. One has a Subaru motor, one has a Brigs & Stratton.

Same price.


I drove 65 miles round trip to get the only one anywhere near me.

I got the Brigs and Stratton, I thought I was going to get the Subaru one (My FIL has one and loves it).

I'm not sure I can get it back in my truck without using the FEL and or a couple big guys becasue it is HEAVY and I'm still limited duty due to busted collar bone.

But, I just want to know if I goofed when I blindly said "I'll take it, Put my name on it!"

I'm a big boy and can take my lumps. Give it to me straight.
Thanks in advance.

Be well,
David

David,

Last spring while I was at a friends house briefly, we lost power at home......2 hrs later unbeknownst to me my wifey was sitting in the dark with one lone candle........

She said "Honey can you do me a big favor......please go and buy a new generator"........

Didn't take long for my rapid response of taking care of the Mrs......:thumbsup:......I had decided prior to this that when the time came (which was right then) I would buy one when there was no big demand for them to allow me the benefit of having plenty of choices.....

I ended up buying this model .... http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-O...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 .......w/ a yamaha engine

I think you made the right choice don't look back, I'm sure you'll have many years of good service...............Much better than "Should'a would'a could'a"

 

[yooper1]

I have 6500 watt, 8500 peak Generac I bought over ten years ago. Last time I went to use it, it started just fine but it is not putting any juice out. I guess I really should get looking at it. There in lays your bigger concern, electrical issues and not engine. From what I have heard, sometimes it is cheaper to replace than repair when the issue is electrical.

Check the brushes on the generator end. The end cover "should" come off easily enough and then the brushes are exposed.

If not the brushes, it may be the regulator

 

[k0ua]

I have a Home Depot power washer with a six horse Suburu Robin engine that I have had at least four years. A new HD offering at the time, at 500 bucks it was priced maybe 200 less than comparable sizes so I said what the heck.

At the time, I bought extra hose, etc., etc. and used my CC. Never checked my slip until I got home. The price on the washer? 400 bucks!

After some break in time, I switched to synthetic motor oil and I only use Stabil in the winter months when my gas usage is lower. Hit or miss useage of course but the Suburu starts with one pull everytime. Uses no oil. What else to ask for?

My ZTR has a Briggs 23HP and my previous mower had a 19HP engine with no real issues considering my minimalist maintenance program for my small engines.

I have 6500 watt, 8500 peak Generac I bought over ten years ago. Last time I went to use it, it started just fine but it is not putting any juice out. I guess I really should get looking at it. There in lays your bigger concern, electrical issues and not engine. From what I have heard, sometimes it is cheaper to replace than repair when the issue is electrical.

Likely problem with the genny is loss of residual magnetism from not using the generator often enough with a load. The generator can be easily repaired by "flashing" it. with a battery.. look on the web for instructions. It is an easy repair, no parts needed.

James K0UA

 

[dstig1]

Likely problem with the genny is loss of residual magnetism from not using the generator often enough with a load. The generator can be easily repaired by "flashing" it. with a battery.. look on the web for instructions. It is an easy repair, no parts needed.

James K0UA

Uhh say what? Either you know something I have never heard of or you are pulling legs like a juvenile delinquent in an old folks home...

Around here, I have switched to using 92 octane for all my small engines, especially 2 strokes - aka my chainsaws. I go through maybe 5 gal of gas a year for these so that is like $1 a year difference (big whoop), plus you can get 92 that is ethanol-free around here, as long as you make sure to check the pumps ahead of time. Not all stations do it, but many do. MN mandates 10% ethanol in the lower grades, and Wisc doesn't seem to mandate it, but it is common. They allow an exemption for classic cars, boats, etc, but only on the high grade. No checking for what you use it for as it is a small slice of the market willing to pay up, so I don't think the state cares much.

 

[k0ua]

Uhh say what? Either you know something I have never heard of or you are pulling legs like a juvenile delinquent in an old folks home...

Nope, no leg pulling. By the way, You have the worlds largest library in you hands right now. This is what I was able to find in about 45 seconds


Generator Field Flashing - Engineers Edge

Field Flashing a Portable Generator - Electrical Wiring Forum - GardenWeb

How to Field Flash? - SmokStak

How to "flash" a generator when output is lost due to loss of excitation

RE-ENERGIZING DEAD GENERATORS



I can't vouch for the drill or 110Volt method, but the battery method works, and have heard about just putting a very very stong perm. magnet on the generator windings to start the magnetic buildup.

James K0UA

 

[Pilot]

Actually ethanol is an octane booster and it's cheaper than other chemicals the petroleum industry was using before. Both regular and high octane contain 10% ethanol because that's what your idiotic government mandated several years ago. And the EPA recently approved up to 15% ethanol for newer vehicles after the ethanol industry asked for it. Fortunately, they didn't require it and since it is not approved for older cars, few gas stations will carry it for a long time.

Ethanol is corrosive, can't be shipped in pipelines and can't be stored with the gas--it is put into the gas at the distribution points. It separates out from the gas in long term storage--long term just being a few months. And ethanol absorbs water from the air. Since there is nothing good about ethanol in gasoline and you can't drink the stuff it is utterly useless except for people associated with producing and selling it and taking the gov't subsidies--your money and mine.

 

[IslandTractor]

Ethanol is corrosive, can't be shipped in pipelines and can't be stored with the gas--it is put into the gas at the distribution points. It separates out from the gas in long term storage--long term just being a few months. And ethanol absorbs water from the air. Since there is nothing good about ethanol in gasoline and you can't drink the stuff it is utterly useless except for people associated with producing and selling it and taking the gov't subsidies--your money and mine.

One more thing, ethanol is a good solvent so it actually dissolves some crap that has dried inside fuel lines, carburetors etc. That can either keep things clean or, especially when added for the first time, can loosen up crud that then moves downstream to clog carb jets etc. It also helps remove water in a tank but as you point out it can also attract water from the air. Good in short term, bad in long term.

The only good thing about corn based ethanol in our fuel is that it helps keep corn syrup out of our food. I am afraid we may be just pawns in the corn genome's plan to dominate the world.

 

[Travelover]

............I am afraid we may be just pawns in the corn genome's plan to dominate the world.

:laughing:

 

[JB4310]

Uhh say what? Either you know something I have never heard of or you are pulling legs like a juvenile delinquent in an old folks home...

Nope, no leg pulling. By the way, You have the worlds largest library in you hands right now. This is what I was able to find in about 45 seconds


Generator Field Flashing - Engineers Edge

Field Flashing a Portable Generator - Electrical Wiring Forum - GardenWeb

How to Field Flash? - SmokStak

How to "flash" a generator when output is lost due to loss of excitation

RE-ENERGIZING DEAD GENERATORS



I can't vouch for the drill or 110Volt method, but the battery method works, and have heard about just putting a very very stong perm. magnet on the generator windings to start the magnetic buildup.

James K0UA

Yup, pretty common knowledge and discussion in the internet generator data base/ searchs.

I've never needed it or even heard 1st hand about anyone needing it, but I have heard about it in those discussions.

I'd be very interested if that is what's wrong with QRTRHRS's generator, and if the reflash solves it.
I would start first looking closely at the wiring and breakers, switches etc.

JB

 

[TimberXX]

David,

Last spring while I was at a friends house briefly, we lost power at home......2 hrs later unbeknownst to me my wifey was sitting in the dark with one lone candle........

She said "Honey can you do me a big favor......please go and buy a new generator"........

Didn't take long for my rapid response of taking care of the Mrs......:thumbsup:......I had decided prior to this that when the time came (which was right then) I would buy one when there was no big demand for them to allow me the benefit of having plenty of choices.....

I ended up buying this model .... http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment-Generators/RIDGID/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbx8lZ18g/R-100671888/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 .......w/ a yamaha engine

I think you made the right choice don't look back, I'm sure you'll have many years of good service...............Much better than "Should'a would'a could'a"

I am a Yamaha fan. I briefly looked at Yamaha generators. They are cheaper than Hondas and have some better features.

 

[JD 4520]

Actually ethanol is an octane booster and it's cheaper than other chemicals the petroleum industry was using before. Both regular and high octane contain 10% ethanol because that's what your idiotic government mandated several years ago. And the EPA recently approved up to 15% ethanol for newer vehicles after the ethanol industry asked for it. Fortunately, they didn't require it and since it is not approved for older cars, few gas stations will carry it for a long time.

Ethanol is corrosive, can't be shipped in pipelines and can't be stored with the gas--it is put into the gas at the distribution points. It separates out from the gas in long term storage--long term just being a few months. And ethanol absorbs water from the air. Since there is nothing good about ethanol in gasoline and you can't drink the stuff it is utterly useless except for people associated with producing and selling it and taking the gov't subsidies--your money and mine.

Well stated and I agree.

 

[JB4310]

So it looks like those that drain or run dry the carbs are the vast majority.

It surprises me a little, just for the simple fact it does take extra effort.

In my case, I have definitely had my share of carb woes. but can always get them working without removal from the engine, do have to remove the bowl and jets etc.

That is with leaving bowls full of treated fuel, the few cases of serious carb trouble that required carb removal, where when the bowls were dry from extended storage, which of course could of been from fuel being left in them before storage.

I'm not changing my habit yet but am keeping an open mind.


JB